Spring Ice Out Canoe Camping

After a month of rain, we set off on a spring ice out trip May 5-8 2023 for 4 days in the backcountry of Algonquin Park. With fishing on the mind, we began at the Tim River access point #2. Our first night was spent on Little Trout Creek with temperatures dipping down below freezing. On the second day we paddle our way towards Shippagew Lake, little did we know we wouldn't get there without incident. The water levels were high and the current was strong. We were on the wrong side of the river and once we realized where the portage was we didn't have enough time to make it over. Our canoe capsized. All of us and our gear in the river, the canoe full of water. Emma, a pack and paddle floating down river. We managed to haul the canoe to shore, one bag, with daypack and one paddle, while Emma swam herself to shore. In all the commotion, we didn't realize we still had a paddle. James had seen two floating down river (although we realize he likely saw it twice and assumed both were gone. He took off through marshes, alders and bush with Emma to hopefully find the second pack which contained all of our food, cook kit, axe and saw. I'll save the rest for the video - needless to say we will be purchasing drysuits for our next ice out adventure. Ironically enough we met a couple on the river the day prior who were wearing them and we discussed how we should finally get them!
We did eventually make it to camp, and were very very grateful to be safe, dry and warm by a fire to re-tell the story.
The next day we traveled back along the Tim, had rain all day while tackling 8 portages, some long and un-maintained into Rosebary Lake for our third night. Travelling out of the park the next day. A trip to remember - now to get those drysuits..